James Gadsden (May 15, 1788December 26, 1858) was an
American diplomat, soldier and businessman and namesake of the
Gadsden Purchase, in which the United States purchased from
Mexico the land that became the southern portion of
Arizona and
New Mexico. James Gadsden served as Adjutant General of the U. S. Army from August 13, 1821 – March 22, 1822, and held the rank of colonel in the US Army. He was commonly known as General Gadsden but was only a two-star general.